Christmas future
Here is one thoughtful reflection upon the timeless gift given by our God and Father at Christmas time. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The words to be still and steadfast surely connect with us during these busy, anxious days. The pandemic once again is slowing down our walk as communities and churches. We pray for ourselves and all once again disrupted and disturbed by the new virulent variant.
May we also be invigorated by that sense that Mary Oliver captures well with her words “love deeply and without patience.” The spirit of God is not hindered by any restrictions and can create within us and those for whom we pray gratitude for the gift that has been given.
I am so grateful to be sharing my first Christmas with you at All Saints. I pray we may all find steadfastness during this unprecedented season to “give thanks to God for his indescribable gift.” Jesus, the word made flesh.
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9: 15
The Gift
Be still, my soul, and steadfast.
Earth and heaven both are still watching
though time is draining from the clock
and your walk, that was confident and quick,
has become slow.
So, be slow if you must, but let
the heart still play its true part.
Love still as once you loved, deeply
and without patience. Let God and the world
know you are grateful.
That the gift has been given.
By Mary Oliver
We have all heard of Christmas past but what to do when Christmas is over and the New Year beckons ?
Here are some thoughts with some actions for you if you feel so inclined and prompted by the Lord to respond.
1. At the heart of Christmas – these simple but attractive booklets will be offered at many of our Christmas gatherings. Do avail yourself of one and use them for your own reflection everyday over Christmas and more importantly as the days roll over into the new year. They are also good gifts for those who might value some Christian reflection and prayer in a neighbourly way. Christmas sees many visitors despite Covid anxieties and this simple tool which I commend is a low key but important way that God’s people can witness to Christ’s birth on into the New Year.
2. A Rule of Life – I hope you have booked the date! We have had one good meeting and we are looking forward to a repeat showing on Tuesday 25th January at 7:30pm with Hannah Sandoval. I shall be opening our doors to other churches so they can share in the blessing. Something to look forward to and if it is done well as many would want it to be, the impulse to grow spiritually will extend beyond Christmas into the future. If you would like to attend then please sign up here.
3. Watch this space – “New Year New Teams” – look out for news of these and sign up with any capacity and willingness that you have once we have enjoyed Christmas celebrations and resolved to make the most of all that the New Year will bring. (News to follow in our 2nd January news sheet).
I wish you a happy, healthy and Merry Christmas.
The Revd Canon Mark Brown